The Globescan / ERM Sustainability Institute Leaders Survey provides a global perspective on the most pressing sustainability challenges, breakthrough developments, and perceptions of government, NGO and corporate leadership at a pivotal moment for the sustainability agenda. Drawing on insights from 391 experts across 57 countries, the findings reaffirm climate change as the top sustainability concern but reveal a decline in perceived urgency for biodiversity loss, deforestation, water scarcity, and food security. This decline is a reversal of a decade-long upward trend in the urgency of these issues.
Download reportSustainability leaders continue to identify new sustainability legislation as the most significant positive development to sustainable development, but the perceived importance of legislation has declined since 2024. In contrast, respondents place a growing importance on renewables/ low carbon developments, biodiversity initiatives, and global/multistakeholder initiatives. Regional priorities further shape the global agenda: Europe emphasizes legislative frameworks, North America focuses on renewable energy and low-carbon development, Asia-Pacific advances climate and nature-based solutions, and Latin America and Africa/Middle East prioritize national action. These differences underscore the distinct challenges facing sustainability globally.
Leadership perceptions remain steady but nuanced. WWF continues to lead among NGOs, followed by Greenpeace, United Nations Global Compact, The Nature Conservancy, and the World Resources Institute. Patagonia retains its position as the top corporate sustainability leader, with IKEA, Unilever, and Natura &Co close behind. Meanwhile, companies such as Schneider Electric, Microsoft, Interface, and Ørsted gain recognition in specific regions.
Together, these findings underscore both progress and stagnation, indicating that sustained innovation and collaboration will be crucial to maintaining momentum in a rapidly evolving sustainability landscape.
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